August 4, 2015 // Uncategorized

Saint Anne Communities promotes staff to leadership roles, rewards dedication

Todays Catholic

FORT WAYNE — Saint Anne Communities is restructuring its organizational chart to better accommodate its recent expansion. In July, Saint Anne added a second campus, the former Catholic Charities’ Villa of the Woods retirement community.

David Deffenbaugh, the current administrator for Saint Anne, is being promoted to the dual role of administrator and chief operating officer.

Corrina Rees, the current director of nursing, is being promoted to the dual role of director of nursing and chief nursing officer.

Mike Rorick, the current controller, is being promoted to chief financial officer.

“These changes reflect the growth and development of Saint Anne,” says Deacon James Fitzpatrick, a member of the Saint Anne corporate board. “Saint Anne has been a very stable, care-driven organization for many years. With the addition of Villa of the Woods, Saint Anne has the opportunity to expand its mission, and this restructuring of responsibilities will better facilitate that.”

“From a nursing standpoint, Saint Anne provides a high level of care, and maintaining those high standards is a lot of hard work,” Deacon Fitzpatrick continues. “As Corrina Rees leads the expansion of nursing services to a second campus, she’ll need time to focus on the big picture, and that will give Saint Anne’s other talented nursing professionals a chance to shine.”

“It’s also important that Saint Anne maintains strong financial planning,” Fitzpatrick adds. “New rules and regulations have made the world of reimbursement and managed care so much more complex, creating a greater challenge to maintaining a plan that will responsibly meet the needs of our current and future residents.”

Deffenbaugh says he’s energized by the current changes at Saint Anne. “This is an invigorating time to be part of Saint Anne as we reach out to serve an even larger segment of older adults in the area. I know that Corrina and Mike share my commitment to building upon Saint Anne’s reputation for excellence as we grow.”

Rees is enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring Saint Anne’s high-quality senior care to Villa of the Woods. “I’m very excited about these changes — I think we’re on the right track,” she says. “I’m especially looking forward to helping the staff at our new Luers campus establish their nursing services.”

In his new role, Rorick will also have more time see the big picture. “Changes to health-care coverage over the last few years, including the Affordable Care Act, have made it necessary to do more with less,” he says. “We have to keep a close eye on costs as we balance being a faith-based organization. In my new position, I’ll have more time for planning.”

A ministry of the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend, Saint Anne Communities is a state-licensed provider of health care and retirement-living options. With campuses at 1900 Randallia Dr. and 5610 Noll Ave. in Fort Wayne, Saint Anne offers a continuum of care that includes independent and assisted living, skilled nursing care, memory care, adult day services, and rehabilitation services.

Kathy Retzios named administrator of new campus

Kathy Retzios has been chosen to remain as administrator of the Saint Anne Communities Bishop Luers Campus, the former Catholic Charities Villa of the Woods on Noll Avenue. Retzios has been a member of the Villa staff for 28 years, serving the last four years as administrator. Saint Anne plans to offer both independent living and assisted living at this second campus on the city’s south side.

“Having Kathy stay on as administrator was an easy decision to make,” says David Deffenbaugh. “It was a case of if it’s not broken, don’t try to fix it. Kathy knows everything there is to know about our new campus, and the dedication to residents she’s demonstrated over the years is laudable.”

Retzios says she and her staff are looking forward to the future. “When our staff at the Villa found out we were going to become part of the Saint Anne family, we were so happy for our residents,” Retzios says. “Our goals and values mirror those of Saint Anne. We’re both faith-centered and family-focused, so it’s a perfect fit, and our residents will be well taken care of. When we began meeting various staff members from Saint Anne, we discovered what truly wonderful and caring individuals they are. This confirmed that we were all going to be a great team.

“I see nothing but the positive in our future — more services for residents, building updates, and the addition of more caring staff,” Retzios adds. “When I inform individuals, businesses and stakeholders of our change, I hear nothing but positive comments on how Saint Anne has cared for a loved one. “

A Fort Wayne native, Retzios graduated from Wayne High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education at Indiana University. She started working at the Villa part time right out of college, in addition to serving as a substitute teacher and working at a movie theatre. It wasn’t long before she made the Villa her career choice and joined the staff full time as the activities and social services director. Retzios belongs to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Her free time is spent with family and friends and traveling.

Saint Anne Communities promotes six staff members

Saint Anne Communities has promoted six key staff members as the organization begins to provide health care and living options on a second campus, the former Catholic Charities Villa of the Woods. In several cases, these promotions are to new positions created within Saint Anne’s restructured organizational chart.

“Having the right people in the right places is a key to success for any organization,” says David Deffenbaugh. “These six staff members have consistently demonstrated the kind of expertise and commitment that has made Saint Anne a premiere provider of retirement-living options and senior care. We’re very happy to have the opportunity to reward these individuals for their dedication.”

The six latest promotions include, Tyler Weilbaker, promoted to assistant administrator; Tracy Schultz, promoted to residential living director; Julie Hartman, promoted to environmental services director; Annie Budenz, promoted to care transitions director; Jessica Wallace, promoted to human resources director; and Amanda Smith, promoted to assistant director of nursing.